Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (August 13)

Sunday is a huge day of racing in Korea with potential Korea Cup & Sprint implications too. Stablemates Triple Nine and Power Blade renew hostilities in the graded Owners’ Cup at Busan while Derby winner Final Boss will seek to get back to winning ways at Seoul. There are 12 races at Seoul from 11:45 to 19:00 and 5 at Busan from 14:15 to 17:40. Notes on every race below:

8. JEGUKUI HUYE – Interrupted career so far with four starts spread over almost a year. Did improve last time.

Verdict: Small field to start with and (5) DAEHAN GANGSAN is top choice having showed a liking for this distance on his first attempt at it last time out. He can sit behind the early speed and finish strongly. That speed can be set by (3) BULHUUI SEUNGJA, who along with (4) C.K. QUEEN, look to be the main dangers.

11. JUNGJEON MAMA – 4th of 11 on debut over 1000M a month ago. In the frame here.

12. CUPID GANGJA – 5th of 9 on debut. Six weeks off since and can improve.

Verdict: Five of these race for the first time but it’s the experienced ones we’ll turn to first. Two stand-out, those being (1) WONDERFUL CHAMPION and (7) SILVER SPINNING, who both impressed over 1000M and both should benefit from the extra furlong today. On the other hand, (6) SHARK DAEJANGGUN was slightly disappointing first up but should get another chance here as should (11) JUNGJEON MAMA.

Verdict: (7) GEUMA FORTE has been getting closer, as proven capable at this distance and really should be making the breakthrough today. The only downside is he’s not a fast starter and while he should be able to overcome that, if he does leave himself too much to do, (1) HONEY RUSH and (2) YAHO AURORA look the most likely to take advantage.

Selections

(7) Geuma Forte (1) Honey Rush (2) Yaho Aurora (5) Mighty Wa

Next Best

3, 6

Fast Start

1, 6

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

1. EXCELLENT GOLD – Last of 10 on first try at this class four weeks ago. Tough ask again.

2. SSONSALGACHI – Almost three lengths behind Perfect Bic C last time but better draw here and can improve.

3. MIRAE DEUNGBUL – 2nd of 10 when odds-on favourite first start at this class over 1300M July 9th. Didn’t start well. Chance.

4. CLEANUP SEED – Form this year has been cold. 7th behind Hwansangui Doyak last start.

5. SAEBYEOGI – Winner on debut but found things tough in two tries at this level. Jockey booking means backers though.

Verdict: (9) MENI BADA was an eye-catching debut-winner and steps up to class 5 today with every chance of maintaining his 100% record. The other standout is (3) MIRAE DEUNGBUL who fell short on his first attempt at this level a month ago but looks to have plenty of potential. (2) SSONSALGACHI and (7) HWANSANGI DOYAK best of the rest.

2. HANSEONG KING – Disappointing 7th behind Sun Victor on latest. Second consecutive struggle at this distance but h will be backed again.

3. CITY CHAMP – Up in class following 3rd over 1300M on July 2nd and first try at this distance. Two tough asks there.

4. SUN SMART – First start since 14th of 16 in Korean Oaks at Busan two months ago. Won at 1300M before that. Should be much more comfortable today.

5. SPECIAL QUEEN – Up in class and distance having come too close too many times at class 6. Big ask but could surprise.

6. CHOROK JILJU – 6th of 11 on first try at this level over 1000M on July 1st. Beat Gwangya Bulgidang and Special Queen the time before. Up against it.

7. BULHUUI MYEONGGOG – 2nd on first try at this level over 1300M on July 16th. First try at distance and in frame.

8. GWANGYA BULGIDUNG – 2nd to Chorok Jilju in June saw her up in class. Coped ok running 4th over 1300M on July 2nd. First try at distance.

9. BAEKSAN ISLAND – Has raced at this distance before without distinction. 6th of 10 at 1300M last time.

10. CUPID BOY – 4th of 8 over this distance on July 22nd, just over two lengths behind winner. Repeat possible.

11. HIGH ALYDAR – Maiden winner by half a length over 1300M on July 1st. Up in class here off six week absence. Plenty to find but not impossible.

Verdict: Only four of these have races at the distance before, none of them with much distinction and it makes for a tricky contest. (4) SUN SMART was considered good enough to take her chance in the Oaks in June and while she only beat two home she can be given another chance back here at Seoul. Likewise (2) HANSEONG KING has disappointed bettors in his latest two but will almost certainly be backed again while (7) BULHUUI MYEONGGOG and (8) GWANGYA BULGIDUNG try two turns for the first time but can go close.

8. YEOSINUI PUMGYEOK – A$45K purchase. She won her trial, albeit in a slow time and can go well first up.

Verdict: (3) QUE SERA SERA and (2) KWAEHAN TANSAENG came home 1st and 3rd respectively when they raced each other at class and distance on July 7th and they should be battling it out once again today with Que Sera Sera, who looks very good at this distance, the one to prevail again. (5) ELISHA also goes well at the minimum while debut-maker (7) DUBAI FORWARD looks intriguing.

Selections

(3) Que Sera Sera (2) Kwaehan Tansaeng (7) Dubai Forward (5) Elisha

Next Best

8, 6

Fast Start

2, 5, 8

Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

1. PHILLANIKE – 2nd and 4th in two starts at this level. Won’t be favourite but not impossible.

2. BEST CAMP – 3rd of 7 in decent enough race over 1200M on July 9th. Proved capable at the level. A chance.

3. BLACK POWER – 2nd of 8 in very tight finish at class and distance on July 1st was big improvement. Won’t be easy to follow up today.

4. SUPER DAEMUL – Five 2nd places from fifteen outings up to the end of last year. Returned from seven months off to run 7th of 9 over 1200M on July 8th.

Verdict: (8) P.K. PARTY has done nothing wrong so far in two quite handy wins and while up in class today, has nothing to fear here. It’s no doubt her toughest assignment to date but she should be able to cope with it. (2) BEST CAMP and (10) JIGONG BULPAE have proven competitive at the level and can challenge while (5) DELTA K was a useful 2nd last time out and is in the hunt again.

Selections

(8) P.K. Party (2) Best Camp (10) Jigong Bulpae (5) Delta K

Next Best

12, 1

Fast Start

1, 5, 8, 9

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

1. NAMBANG JEONSEOL – Began very promisingly but has never kicked on at this class.

8. DAMYANG CHEONSA – 4th behind Blue Dancer on July 8th then 6th on reappearance at a mile three weeks ago.

9. DONGNAM DAEBAK – Only beat a couple home over 1300M last time but put in two decent showings prior. Could improve.

10. MACH IMPACT – 2nd just beaten a head by Red Young Myeongun on July 7th. That was as close as he’s come in fourteen outings to date.

Verdict: (5) RED YOUNG MYEONGUN beat three of these when winning at class and distance on July 7th. He carries a little more weight today but with a good start, could win again. Also entering a winner is (6) BLUE DANCER. It took her fourteen efforts to break through but an immediate follow-up can’t be ruled out. (2) BAENGMANDORI and (7) PERFECT HUMOR are others to watch out for.

Verdict: (1) GRAY SOCKS returned to the track for the first time this year in fine style on July 22nd, making all to score over 1200M. She should win again today. She’ll be joined on the early speed by her biggest rival, (2) SOCCER HERO, a good maiden winner last time and a threat. (8) ARCH ARCH and (10) SKY VELVET are the other primary contenders.

Verdict: (5) HELLO VENUS was just beaten a nose on her first try at this level on July 14th and she’s favoured to make all and return to winning ways here. The only concern is that she is quite good at finishing 2nd. If that happens then (2) CHOEGANG FOREST and (4) KWAEHAN MYEONGPUM look best placed to take advantage although the latter hasn’t exactly impressed in his latest two. Peter Wolsley’s Aussie import (9) SEUNGJA BONSAEK debuts here and looks potentially interesting.

10. BRIGHT CAT – A winner and then 2nd in his latest two in tough company both times. He has a chance.

11. TOTAL WALKER – Every start so far this year has been around two turns. Still yet to win in 26 and can’t really imaging that changing here.

12. KOREA JEONGSANG – Winner over 1300M in June but last of 11 on first try at this class, behind Bright Cat, on July 8th.

Verdict: (5) GYEONGJU BULPAE looks to have potential to go higher than this class and while he tackles seven furlongs for the first time here, he looks very much the one to beat. (10) BRIGHT CAT comes in off two very strong performances and looks to be the main danger although (8) SMOKEY VALE too is getting closer and could pull off a surprise.

1. POWER BLADE – Last year Triple Crown winner races in Korea for the first time since December. Ran well at the Dubai Carnival earlier in the year. Trialed up ok, and he could win.

2. SUCCESS STORY – Latest two Stakes races at 1800M and 1200M haven’t suited but this one should. Placing chances.

3. TRIPLE NINE – He’ll be overwhelming favourite. Apparently in better shape than when he came 2nd in the Mayor’s Cup, he should be winning this.

4. BEOLMAUI SIN – First outing in stakes company, he’s not found it easy in class 1 handicaps.

5. BAEDARI BOBAE – 5th behind Two Two Raptor last start and looks up against it here. Closer.

6. CITY STAR – The only Seoul based horse in the race and they managed to get a top jockey down to ride him. Would be great if he ran well but this is far tougher than anything he’s faced before.

7. TWO TWO RAPTOR – 3rd ahead of Beolmaui Sin over 1400M laststart. First Group race today.

8. ZETTABYTE – Really nice horse who was 3rd in a tough handicap over 1800M on July 23rd. Power Blade has beaten him plenty of times though.

9. DORAON HYEONPYO – 4th behind Zettabyte on latest but he was giving away a lot of weight that day. Mile should suit and he could place.

Verdict: (3) TRIPLE NINE never looked 100% comfortable when running a close 2nd in the Mayor’s Cup on July 9th in what was his first race back in Korea after the Dubai Carnival but by all accounts is working back to his best for this. If so, he wins. Stablemate (1) POWER BLADE races for the first time since Dubai and while Triple Nine got the better of him three times last year, he’ll surely give a good account of himself again. (2) SUCCESS STORY and (9) DORAON HYEONPYO are both suited by this trip and can be competitive.

Selections

(3) Triple Nine (1) Power Blade (9) Doraon Hyeonpyo (2) Success Story

Next Best

8

Fast Start

1, 2, 7, 9

Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

1. CIN CIN JJAN – After back to back wins got him up to this class, he was 6th on first try at it on July 1st. Can improve here.

2. CHAMPION KING – Three consecutive wins between March and May came to an end with a 9th place on first try at this class on July 2nd. When weakening over 1700M. Back in trip today, he could win.

3. NHA TRANG – 4th behind Daejangbak on June 11th but then 2nd over 1700M on July 9th. That’s put him up in class and potentially up against it.

4. HOMERUN MAKER – First start since a class 4 win in October last year. Trialed up more than adequately but will surely need this.

5. LEAD QUEEN – Up in class after a swift win over 1000M on July 2nd. She’s won three from seven in total and she looks to have more wins in her. Not easy today but possible.

6. JANGSAN ROCKY – 2nd of 9 on return from eight months out two weeks ago. That’s put him up in class and makes things more difficult.

7. HYESEONG YEOWANG – 2nd a half length behind Lead Queen on July 2nd. 3rd behind Cin Cin Jjan the time before. Those have combined to put her up in class today.

8. GOLD MUSIC – Competent money winner at this level but first outing since May and one or two may be too quick.

9. RAON AMOS – Much improved 2nd last time when able to get a lead. Could repeat.

10. INTO THE WILD – 4th of 11 a nose ahead of Gold Music last start twelve weeks ago/

11. JINNYEONGUI GEOIN – Last on return to action after six months on July 9th. Going to be hard here too.

12. DAEJANGBAK – Up in class following three 2nd place finishes at class 3. Beat Nha Trang in one of them. Close runner-up on each occasion to decent types so could go well here.

Verdict: Really open race with one reason being that so many are up and trying this class for the first time. Of those (5) LEAD QUEEN and (12) DAEJANGBAK look to have the most potential to go on and win more and they’ll be our top picks here. If Lead Queen gets an early lead, she may be very difficult to beat. (1) CIN CIN JJAN and (2) CHAMPION KING were both underwhelming last start but both get another chance here.

Selections

(5) Lead Queen (12) Daejangbak (2) Champion King (1) Cin Cin Jjan

Next Best

10, 9

Fast Start

1, 2, 5, 9

Busan Race 5: Class 2 (1800M) Handicap

1. WILD BURNING – 7th behind Royal Impact and Seinsegye Gangja last time, Trialed unspectacularly in the meantime.

2. SISEON POCHAK – 6th over 1400M on June 30th at odds of 50/1. Could improve today.

3. YANKEE DREAM – Has struggled at this class. Beaten by Siseon Pochak last time.

4. IRON TRAIN – 6th behind Wish Me Luck and three others who go here on July 7th. Lots of form to overcome.

5. ADELEUI CHUKJE – Up in class following back to back victories including one by 8-lengths at this distance last time. Very light weight and could surprise.

6. WISH ME LUCK – Class and distance winner on July 7th beating six of his rivals here. Carries an extra 4.5kg today but still firmly in the hunt.

7. ROYAL IMPACT – 5th behind Wish Me Luck on July 7th, 3rd the time before that. Could sneak some minor money again.

8. SINSEGYE GANGJA – The worst of the seven of these who raced each other on July 7th. Lots to find here.

9. WOOA – 3rd behind Wish Me Luck and Kkeutpan Booster on July 7th. Big weight advantage over Wish Me Luck today and that could be the difference.

11. KKEUTPAN BOOSTER – 2nd on July 7th, two and a half lengths behind Wish Me Luck. Could repeat.

12. DYNAMIC TANK – 3rd at class and distance on June 23rd beating both Wooa and Kkeutpan Booster. First start since and not impossible.

Verdict: Seven of these raced each other at class and distance on July 7th and it was (6) WISH ME LUCK who prevailed by two and a half lengths with a front-running performance. He carries an extra 4.5lg today and that could give encouragement to (11) KKEUTPAN BOOSTER and (9) WOOA, who finished 2nd and 3rd, to overturn that form. Among those who didn’t race that day, (12) DYNAMIC TANK, who beat both Kkeutpan Booster and Wooa in his most recent outing, and the up in class (5) ADELEUI CHUKJE look most intriguing.

Selections

(9) Wooa (11) Kkeutpan Booster (6) Wish Me Luck (5) Adeleui Chukje

Next Best

12, 2

Fast Start

5, 6, 10, 12

Seoul Race 10: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

1. CURRICLE – Only beat one home on first try at this class last time following unexpected win in early July.

2. SUPER BROAD – Lots of experience at this level and occasionally finds the minor money. Can again here.

3. PEACEFUL LIFE – Two wins from first four saw him rapidly promoted. 6th of 9 on first try at class and distance last start but company looks more amenable today and he can win.

4. CHEONJI SEONGGONG – Recent form doesn’t inspire but she has gone ok at class and distance in the past.

5. KYMA – Class and distance winner in the past and 3rd last time, ahead of Daewangsin. A chance.

6. DAEWANGSIN – Only beat one home when well back behind Kyma on latest. Lots to find here.

7. EAGLE SOCKS – Recent form isn’t special but stepping back up in trip may suit at this stage.

8. SEONGEUN MARU – 5th of 12 at class and distance at the end of May but last of 11 behind Cheonji Seonggong on June 25th. Seven weeks off since.

Verdict: Not much depth here but it makes it quite open. (3) PEACEFUL LIFE is the selection despite his underwhelming first effort at class and distance three weeks ago. This race is softer and hopefully he will have come on for that experience. (5) KYMA is proven and offers a safe option while (2) SUPER BROAD and (7) EAGLE SOCKS can improve on recent finishes.

Selections

(3) Peaceful Life (5) Kyma (7) Eagle Socks (2) Super Broad

Next Best

4, 8

Fast Start

3, 7

Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

1. JANGSAN COWBOY – 2nd over 2000M on latest but was beaten by Sinjo Daehyeop the time before. Placing chances.

7. SUN STRONG – Last of 12 on first outing this year on July 2nd at 1400M.

8. CHEONJEOK – Good 2nd over 2000M in June but only beat two home when behing Jangsan Cowboy on latest effort.

9. SINJO DAEHYEOP – Arguably the 2nd best horse in training at Seoul right now – at least at this level. Enters after consecutive wins, he is the likely favourite.

10. BICHUI JEONGSANG – Showed signs of a return to form with 4th over 1200M on July 15th. Needs more here though.

11. FINAL BOSS – The Korean Derby winner but he is frustrating. Beautifully weighted and the champion jockey rides for the first time.

Verdict: The key to this could be which (11) FINAL BOSS shows up. Even when winning the Derby he got a shocking trip and in both other legs of the Triple Crown, he wasn’t especially co-operative. He does have an awful lot of talent though and if Moon Se Young, riding for the first time, can harness it, then carrying a light weight of 52kg, he could do it. (9) SINJO DAEHYEOP has an extra 6kg to carry but is the best horse in the race and in the best form. He’ll likely be favourite. Both (1) JANGSAN COWBOY and (10) BICHUI JEONGSANG look to be coming back into form and they are our next bests.

3. NANCHOUI GOHYANG – Up in class following smart, if unexpected win at 1700M on July 2nd. Tougher here.

4. ACE RUNNER – Class and distance winner on June 24th. Seven weeks off since and carries more weight today but very much the one to beat.

5. OSAENG MYEONGJANG – Well back behind Suseong Captain last start and plenty to find.

6. IGWANGSASEOK – 3rd of 8 on first try at this level over 1200M on July 8th but four lengths behind November Morning.

7. NOVEMBER MORNING – Winner on a very fast track over 1200M last time making all. That won’t be so easy today but he’ll still be backed.

8. SIDAEUIYEOWANG – Winner at this class over 1200M on May 14th. 6th on only subsequent start. Apprentice jockey makes for a light weight today.

9. RAON RUSA – 2nd over 1200M in April but distinctly average on reappearance at the end of June.

10. SEONGPA – Up in class following four-length score over 1400M in really quick time on July 15th. Hard but not impossible.

Verdict: (7) NOVEMBER MORNING got close to the track record when winning at 1200M ahead of (6) IGWANGSASEOK and (8) SIDAEUIYEOWANG on July 8th. It was a muddy and very fast track that day and a repeat won’t be easy at 1400M. Instead we’re going to go with (4) ACE RUNNER to return from a bit of a holiday to back up his class and distance win on June 24th.